Grammar Review

Which of these sentences is formatted correctly?

• The artist is well respected in the community.

• The artist is well-respected in the community.

Answer explanation

In most cases, do not hyphenate compound adjectives that come after nouns.

Which of these sentences is formatted correctly?

• The highest paid actor in Kansas was Eric.

• The highest-paid actor in Kansas was Eric.

Answer explanation

Hyphenate compound adjectives that come before nouns.

Which of these sentences is formatted correctly?

• Her three-week vacation starts today.

• Her three week vacation starts today.

Answer explanation

Hyphenate compound adjectives that come before nouns.

Which of these sentences is formatted correctly?

• I talked to a highly respected doctor today.

• I talked to a highly-respected doctor today.

Answer explanation

Never hyphenate compound adjectives when the first adjective ends in -ly.

Which of these sentences is punctuated and capitalized correctly?

• Joe's favorite cuisines are Thai, Italian, Chinese, and french.

• Joe's favorite cuisine are: Thai, Italian, Chinese, and French.

• Joe's favorite cuisines are: thai, italian, chinese, and french.

• Joe's favorite cuisines are Thai, Italian, Chinese, and French.

Which of these sentences is punctuated and capitalized correctly?

• Julian has asked for these gifts, a skateboard, tickets to a concert, and a giant cake.

• Julian has asked for these gifts: a skateboard, tickets to a concert and a giant cake.

• Julian has asked for these gifts: a skateboard, tickets to a concert, and a giant cake.

• Julian has asked for these gifts: a Skateboard, Tickets to a Concert, and a Giant cake.

Which of these sentences shows a correct parallel structure?

• Dan's favorite hobbies are walking to the park, to play baseball, and spending time with friends.

• Dan's favorite hobbies are walking to the park, playing baseball at home, and spending time with friends.

• Dan's favorite hobbies are walking to the park and playing baseball and to spend time with friends.

Answer explanation

A sentence has parallel structure when its elements follow a consistent pattern. This makes writing more concise and clear to the reader.

Which of these sentences has a parallel structure?

• Julie kept walking outside, even though there was lightning, it rained, and it thundered.

• Julie kept walking outside, even though there was lightning, rain, and thunder.

• Julie kept walking outside, even though there was lightning, raining, and thundering.

Answer explanation

A sentence has parallel structure when its elements follow a consistent pattern. This makes writing more concise and clear to the reader.

Which of these sentences is correctly formatted?

• This is my point, if we buy Judy a plane, she might take us for a ride.

• This is my point: if we buy Judy a plane, she might take us for a ride.

• This is my point; if we buy Judy a plane, she might take us for a ride.

Answer explanation

Use a colon between two complete thoughts when the second one explains or summarizes the first.

Which of these sentences is formatted correctly?

• Jack is a wonderful friend, he spends time with others on the weekend.

• Jack is a wonderful friend: he spends time with others on the weekend.

• Jack is a wonderful friend; he spends time with others on the weekend.

Answer explanation

A semicolon is used to connect two complete thoughts when the second thought adds a new or different idea.